Heel guard for bedfast persons



April 2-8, 1970 F. c. MOORE E HEEL GUARD FOR BEDFAST PERSONS.

Filed May 1, 1968 as llatiiiiifiw i United States Patent Ofifice 3,508,544 Patented Apr. 28, 1970 3,508,544 HEEL GUARD FOR BEDFAST PERSONS Francis C. Moore and Leon R. Perkinson, Indianapolis,

Ind., assignors to Moore-Perk Corporation, Indianapolis, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed May 1, 1968, Ser. No. 725,824 Int. Cl. A61b 19/00 US. Cl. 128-149 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A disposable guard for preventing the formation of decubitus ulcers on the heel of a bedridden person includes a layer of stretchable, porous plastic foam having an oval central body portion with two corresponding sets of straps, each set projecting from one of the longer sides of the body. A backing of thermoplastic-coated paper is bonded to one side of the central body to provide an exterior smooth, frictionless surface for sliding along bedclothes. Corresponding straps of each set are fastened together in front of the ankle to gather the body portion in wrapping engagement about the heel.

BACKGROUND The present invention relates to a heel guard for bedfast persons; more particularly, it relates to a light-weight heel guard which is economical enough to be discarded after use.

Heretofore, designs for heel guards for preventing the formation of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on the heels of bedridden persons have generally provided a preformed protector which fits around the heel, covering the bottom, back, and side portions thereof.

These pro-formed designs require supplying the protectors in a number of different sizes for fitting the heels of different persons. Further, although they are capable of being nested together for shipment, they are, nonetheless, bulky when compared to the present invention. In addition, prior constructions have used a strap which is of a rigid material for holding the protectors in place; and such straps may cause skin irritations.

Prior constructions have also been fairly expensive; and, therefore, they have been used a number of times which requires sterilizing, as by washing or autoclaving. This has required the use of expansive materials and manufacturing techniques. In addition, prior heel protectors have tended to be quite warm and thereby cause the patient to perspire when they are worn continuously for extended periods.

SUMMARY The present invention provides for a flat layer of flexible, stretchable, breathable polyurethane plastic foam which has an oval central body portion and a set of straps projecting from each side of the central body. In its elongated dimension, the central body is sufficient to cover the back and bottom of a heel; and in its transverse dimension, it is wide enough to fit around the sides of the heel. A thermoplastic-coated paper backing is bonded to one side of the central body portion and covers the juncture of the straps (which are made out of the same material as the central body portion) and the central body. The end portion of each of one set of straps is provided with pressure-sensitive adhesive so that the straps may be pulled about an ankle and corresponding straps from each set adhesively secured together in front of the ankle. Preferably, all of the straps unite in front of the ankle at the same location in superposed relation, The structure allows the gathering of all of the guard material about the ankle in wrapping engagement therewith; and it prevents protrusions of the guard material which would snag the bedclothes.

The present invention provides an economical, easily manufactured heel protector which, although it may be washed or autoclaved, is inexpensive enough to be discarded after use. The initially fiat construction and stretchable straps accommodate the same heel protector to all sizes and facilitates their shipment and storage. Further, the resiliency and texture of the straps prevent irritation of the skin above the instep.

In addition, because the porous foam is a relatively thin layer which breathes easily, the heel guards of the present invention are extremely lightweight, and they permit free circulation of air to the protected portions of the heel to revent perspiration.

The straps are arranged to completely encompass and protect the inner and outer ankle so that bedsores do not form there; and the structure of the heel pad is strengthened by having the non-stretchable paper extend at least partially onto the stretchable straps to prevent tearing of the strap at the intersection between the straps and the central body portion.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment accompanied by the attached drawing wherein identical reference numerals will refer to the same parts in the various views.

THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heel guard according to the present invention applied to a wearer;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the exterior side of the heel guard of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the interior of the heel guard of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a cross section view taken longitudinally of one of the straps of the heel protector as seen through the sight line 44 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring first to FIG. 1, a heel guard or protector according to the present invention is generally designated 10; and when it is applied to the heel of a wearer, it can be seen to completely envelop the bottom and back of the heel as well as the back sides of the foot and both sides of the ankle.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the heel protector 10 includes a first flat layer of flexible, stretchable, air-permeable sheet material 11 having a generally oval central body portion 12 which has a longitudinal axis (extending vertically in the drawing) and a transverse axis (extending horizontally).

A first set of three straps 13, 14 and 15 project from one side of the central body 12; and a corresponding set of three straps 16, 17 and 18 project from the other side of the central body 12. Each of the straps 1318 has a generally rectilinear periphery away from the central body 12 and a slight radius at its base where it joins the central body 12. Thus, adjacent straps appear to be webbed (see webbed portion 19 adjacent straps 13 and 14 Corresponding straps 14 and 17 define a center line which passes through the center of the body 12; and the outer or end straps can be seen to be angularly disposed relative to the center straps 14 and 17. It will be observed that the general configuration shown in FIG. 3 has symmetry both about the longitudinal axis of the center portion 12 and about the transverse axis thereof. The side of the heel guard side seen in FIG. 3 engages the skin of the wearer; and the flat sheet material is preferably a porous plastic foam, such as polyurethane foam. It has a smooth surface texture so as not to be abrasive against the skin; and a foam having a pore density of 60 to 70 pores per lineal inch has been found to be satisfactory. This also provides sufficient breathing so that the heel protector does not become warm and sufficient air passes through it to evaporate whatever perspiration might occur.

The central body 12 may be about 7 /2 in. long and 4 /2 to 5 in. wide. Each of the end straps 13, 15, 16 and 18 may extend about 5 in. from the central body 12; and the center straps 14 and 17 may be 4 /2 in. long. Each of the straps 13-18 may be about 1 to 1 /2 in. wide; and the thickness of the polyurethane foam may range from to A in. The center line of each of the angularly-disposed end straps makes an angle of about 22 with the transverse axis of the center body 12. Turning now to FIG. 2, the other side (i.e. the exterior) of the heel guard is shown. A paper backing 20 covers the central body 12 together with the web portions between the bases of adjacent, protruding straps; and this paper backing extends slightly along each strap. For example, a portion 21 of the paper backing 20 extends about /3 of the way up the strap 16.

The paper backing 20 is bonded to the fiat layer of plastic foam 11; and it may be impregnated with a thermoplastic material and bonded thereto by the application of heat and pressure according to known techniques.

At the end of each of one set of straps, namely the straps 13-15, there is provided a pad (the pads are designated respectively 2224) of pressure-sensitive adhesive which may simply be any conventional doublecoated, pressure-sensitive adhesive plastic tape.

In fastening the guard of the present invention to a heel to be protected, the foam surface of the center body 12 is brought into contact with the heel; and the corresponding top straps 22 and 16 are brought together in front of the ankle, then the inner surface of the strap 16 is pressed against the adhesive pad 22. Next, the corresponding lower straps and 18 are similarly secured together. This brings the upper and lower portions of the center body 12 in wrapping engagement with the heel and back foot portion of a wearer. Then, the center straps 14 and 17 are secured together in front of the ankle; and this last step gathers in the loose ends of the center body 12 to provide a contour of the guard which has no protrusions which will snag bedclothes. It will be observed from FIG. 1, that each pair of the corresponding straps is secured at a common location in front of the ankle and just above the instep of the foot. This has advantages in effecting a complete wrapping of the ankle; but the invention is, of course, not so limited.

The paper backing provides strength to the structure by preventing stretching thereof wherever the paper backing is in contact with the flexible foam. At the same time, the un-backed portions of the straps are free to stretch; and the paper supplies backing support for the webbed portion between adjacent straps so that when the straps are stretched to secure the heel guard to the wearer, there is no transverse or tearing stress induced at the base of each of the straps. Further, the poleythylene-coated paper provides a smooth, frictionless surface for sliding along bedclothing. This is considered an importantaspect of the present invention since it is desirable not only that a wearer have non-abrasive contact with bedclothes, but it is also advantageous in maintaining the position and attachment of the heel protector to the wearer.

It will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that certain materials (for example, perforated backing paper) may be substituted for those which have been disclosed; and certain modifications (for example, change of the geometry illustrated and described) may be made without departing from the principles of the present invention. With this present construction, it has been found that a very lightweight heel guard having a very snug fit and contoured to the heel and ankle size of the wearer is provided while permitting the smooth texture of the plastic foam to engage his skin. The breathing construction does not cause perspiration even though worn for substantial amounts of time; and the stretchability of the terminal portions of the straps allows easy accommodation of the foot and ankle to different positions without irritating the skin in front of the ankle. The construction of the guard is simple and economical enough so that they may be discarded after use; and yet, it is of sufiicient rigidity that it does not readily wear out or tear. The fiat shape of the heel guard prior to being fitted to a wearer permits it to be shipped and stored in quantity in minimum space.

Having thus described in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention and indicated that a wide range of equivalent materials and configurations may be employed, it is intended that all such modifications and equivalents be covered as they are embraced within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A guard for protecting the heel of a wearer from abrasive contact with bedding and the like, comprising: a flat layer of flexible, stretchable, breathing sheet material including a continuous, central body and first and second corresponding sets of straps extending respectively from the sides of said body, said body defining a center and extending longitudinally of said center to cover the bottom and back heel of a wearer when said body is bent transversely, said body extending laterally of said center to cover the exposed portions of a heel, each one of corresponding of said straps extending from opposite sides of said body and extendable about the ankle for pulling said body material in wrapping engagement with said heel, and each corresponding pair fastenable together in front of the ankle; and a backing attached to one side of said layer for covering portions thereof likely to engage the bedding, said backing having a smooth, substantially frictionless exterior surface allowing the wearer to move his heel with little reaction with the bedding.

2. An article according to claim 1 wherein said layer material is a porous foam plastic having a smooth texture for nonabrasive contact with the skin of a wearer.

3. The article of claim 2 wherein said foam plastic is a polyurethane foam plastic and said backing is thermoplastic-coated paper adhered to said foam.

4. The article of claim 3 wherein said body is oval and adjacent straps are webbed together; and wherein said backing paper extends partially onto said straps covering the webbed portion between adjacent straps whereby the free end of said straps remains stretchable for adjusting the guard to heels of different sizes and the only stretching forces are exerted longitudinally of said straps.

5. The article of claim 1 further comprising adhesive pads on one of each of said corresponding pairs of straps for securing the same together.

6. The article of claim 5 wherein each pad is a doublecoated pressure sensitive adhesive tape.

7. The article of claim 1 wherein said center body is oval, and wherein each set of straps includes three such straps angularly disposed relative to each other, the central strap of each set lying along the transverse axis of said oval center body, each of said corresponding straps 5 adapted to meet in the common location in front of the ankle when fitted on a heel.

8. The article of claim 7 characterized by a geometrical symmetry about a longitudinal axis and a vertical axis of said oval center body.

9. The article of claim 1 wherein said layer is porous polyurethane foam having a pore density of 60 to 70 pores per inch.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,011,494 12/1961 McGowan l28-l49 3,216,417 11/1965 Posey 128149 FOREIGN PATENTS 261,010 8/1927 Great Britain.

10 ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner U.S, C1. X.R. 

